Tocker Foundation appears to be a highly Texas-focused funder with a strong emphasis on strengthening public libraries and the infrastructure around them—renovations, furniture and shelving, digitization, planning, and technology access. It also supports literacy and literary culture through groups like the Writer’s League of Texas and the Texas Book Festival, plus a smaller set of heritage and education projects tied to Texas history and community institutions. The foundation tends to back organizations that improve access to information, reading, and local cultural memory, often through practical capital or capacity-building support rather than unrestricted general funding.
Concentrated giving to a relatively small set of repeat grantees, with many awards in the $50K–$115K range. The foundation often makes multi-year or repeat investments in library infrastructure and capacity, especially for smaller community libraries, alongside occasional larger support for statewide literary and educational organizations.
Tocker Foundation’s grantmaking is centered on Texas libraries, with active programs for automation, transformation, digitization, general library support, and professional development. The foundation supports public libraries in rural Texas towns of 12,000 or less, rural library staff, and local history preservation through newspaper digitization. Its largest recent grants are recorded as “See Attached Schedule,” including awards of $1,804,180 in 2024 and $1,493,627 in 2023 to recipients in Various, TX. That concentration points to a funding approach built around a small number of sizable, purpose-specific awards rather than broad, high-volume distributions. Among the named programs, the Library Automation Grant is ongoing and covers the first five years of a software subscription, data migration, and new user training. The Library Transformation Grant provides $100,000 for rural libraries to rethink and redesign spaces for current and future uses, with architectural partnership and technical assistance. Tocker Foundation also supports newspaper digitization to preserve local newspapers and historical documents, tying its grantmaking to access, technology, and Texas history. The overall pattern is local in scope and consistently tied to library infrastructure and capacity.
Tocker Foundation supports several library-focused cause areas in Texas. In library technology, the Library Automation Grant assists eligible libraries with implementation and training for automated systems, including the first five years of the software subscription, data migration, and new user training. For facility work, the Library Transformation Grant provides $100,000 to help rural libraries rethink, refurnish, and redesign their spaces for current and future uses. Preservation is another clear theme. Through the Newspaper Digitization Grant, the foundation funds the digitization of local newspapers and historical documents to improve access and safeguard Texas history. It also backs everyday library operations through the General Library Grant, which supports public libraries in rural Texas towns of 12,000 or less with collection, programming, technology, equipment, and internet access. Professional Development Grants add staff training support through travel stipends for the Texas Library Association annual conference.
$1.6M
$16.3M
$2M
$2.7M
Most grants fall between $2K and $10K, with a median of $3K.
25th Percentile
$2K
Median
$3K
75th Percentile
$10K
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Notable grantees: Writer's League of Texas, Texas Book Festival, Schleicher County Public Library, Texas Library Association, AustinFree.Net
The foundation’s typical grant size is high and tightly grouped: p25 is $1,571,265, median is $1,648,904, and p75 is $1,726,542. That distribution sits near the middle of a very large-dollar grantmaking pattern. The recent grant list also shows repeated awards across multiple years, including 2023, 2024, and 2026, which suggests ongoing support rather than one-off activity. Tocker Foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments. Its giving is local, and all reported recipient grants in the dataset go to Texas recipients.
Tocker Foundation’s giving is entirely in Texas, with 100% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. The top state by grant count is also TX. Recipient locations in the recent grants list include Various, TX, and the active programs are all limited to Texas. The footprint is therefore statewide but local in scope, centered on Texas libraries, rural towns, and Texas history preservation.
It funds Texas library-related work: library automation, library transformation, newspaper digitization, general library support, and professional development for library staff. The programs are all tied to Texas, with several aimed specifically at rural libraries and towns of 12,000 or less.
Its typical grant size is substantial: p25 is $1,571,265, the median is $1,648,904, and p75 is $1,726,542. The recent grant list also includes awards above $1.2 million and $1.8 million to Texas recipients.
Yes for several programs. The Library Transformation Grant, Newspaper Digitization Grant, General Library Grant, and Professional Development Grant all accept unsolicited applications. The Library Automation Grant does not.
Its giving is local and entirely in Texas. The data shows 100% of grants going to recipients in TX, and the top state by grant count is TX as well.
No. The foundation does not fund individuals, and the available grant programs are structured around libraries and library staff rather than personal awards.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Current and upcoming funding from Tocker Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Public libraries serving communities in Texas towns with populations of 12,000 or less. County libraries may use the population of the town where the library is located. Applications must comply with Tocker Foundation exclusions, which include normal operating expenses, salaries, construction, and certain infrastructure costs.
Deadline: January 15 and June 1 annually.
Who can apply: Rural libraries whose projects fit the Foundation’s goals and are approved through a preliminary conversation with Foundation staff. Access to the application portal is restricted until eligibility is determined.
Deadline: Biannual deadlines in January and June.
Who can apply: Libraries holding historical documents or newspapers may apply; project eligibility is determined by the Foundation.
Deadline: Apply anytime.
Who can apply: Small libraries that have not yet become fully automated and new libraries may inquire; eligibility is determined based on the individual project.
Deadline: Applications accepted year-round.
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schleicher County Public Library | Eldorado, TX | $100,000 | 2026 | Furniture & Shelving |
| Fannie Brown Booth Library | Center, TX | $100,000 | 2026 | Furniture & Shelving |
| Marathon Public Library | Marathon, TX | $100,000 | 2026 | Furniture & Shelving |
| Meridian Library Association, Inc. | Meridian, TX | $83,447 | 2026 | Furniture & Shelving |
| Texas Book Festival | Austin, TX | $66,363 | 2026 | General |
| James Dick Foundation | Round Top | $50,000 | 2026 | Education Ctr Expansion |
| Texas Library Association | Austin, TX | $50,000 | 2026 | General |
| Kennedale Library | Kennedale, TX | $50,000 | 2026 | Furniture & Shelving |
| University of North Texas | — | $50,000 | 2026 | Texas History for Teachers |
| Writer's League of Texas | Austin, TX | $50,000 | 2026 | Writing Workshops |
| Partners Library Action Network (PLAN) | Austin, TX | $50,000 | 2026 | General |
| Round Top Library | Round Top, TX | $50,000 | 2026 | Furniture & Shelving |
| Jewish Community Assoc. of Austin | Austin, TX | $50,000 | 2026 | Capital Campaign |
| Abilene Heritage Square | Abilene, TX | $50,000 | 2026 | Capital Campaign Pledge Pmt |
| SAFE Alliance | Austin, TX | $49,000 | 2026 | Campus Security Lighting |
| Austin Public Library Foundation | Austin, TX | $25,500 | 2026 | General |
| Austin Groups for the Elderly | Austin, TX | $25,000 | 2026 | Capital Campaign |
| Follow Your Dreams, Inc. | Austin, TX | $15,000 | 2026 | AuSSLC Music Festival |
| Women's Storybook Project of Texas | Austin, TX | $10,000 | 2026 | Program |
| Aledo Public Library | Aledo, TX | $10,000 | 2026 | Collection Development |
| University of Texas | Austin, TX | $10,000 | 2026 | General |
| Texas Library Association | Austin, TX | $9,446 | 2026 | Small Library, Big Impact |
| Partners Library Action Network (PLAN) | Austin, TX | $9,300 | 2026 | Strategic Planning Support |
| Wolfe City Public Library | Wolfe City, TX | $7,007 | 2026 | Computers |
| Cedar Creek Library, Inc. | Seven Points, TX | $6,642 | 2026 | 3D Printer Equipment |
| Texas Early Music Project | Austin, TX | $6,500 | 2026 | General |
| Rylander Memorial Library | San Saba, TX | $6,406 | 2026 | Computer Equipment |
| Genevieve M. Hitchcock Public Library | Hitchcock, TX | $6,000 | 2026 | Collection Development |
| Abilene Library Consortium | Abilene, TX | $6,000 | 2026 | General |
| National Alliance on Mental Illness | Arlington, VA | $5,000 | 2026 | General |
| Settlement Home | Austin, TX | $5,000 | 2026 | General |
| Carl & Mary Welhausen Library | Yoakum, TX | $5,000 | 2026 | Collection Development |
| Dickens Co. Spur Public Library | Spur, TX | $5,000 | 2026 | Collection Development |
| Austin Bat Cave / Kids Write Good | Austin, TX | $5,000 | 2026 | Writing Programs |
| B.J. Hill Library | Holland, TX | $5,000 | 2026 | Books |
| Waco Foundation | Waco, TX | $4,500 | 2026 | Texas Rural Funders |
| Carl & Mary Welhausen Library | Yoakum, TX | $4,378 | 2026 | Programming |
| Bullard Community Library | Bullard, TX | $4,170 | 2026 | Architect Services |
| NCCIL | Abilene, TX | $4,000 | 2026 | General |
| Lake Dallas Public Library | Lake Dallas, TX | $3,983 | 2026 | Computer Equipment |
| Philanthropy Southwest (PSW) | Dallas, TX | $3,875 | 2026 | General |
| Clyde Public Library | Clyde, TX | $3,840 | 2026 | Architect Services |
| Olney Community Library | Olney, TX | $3,660 | 2026 | Architect Services |
| Spicewood Community Library | Spicewood, TX | $3,660 | 2026 | Architect Services |
| Gatesville Public Library | Gatesville, TX | $3,630 | 2026 | Architect Services |
| Congregation Beth Israel | Austin, TX | $3,538 | 2026 | Remainder Files |
| Tuskegee Alumni Club of Central Texas | Austin, TX | $3,000 | 2026 | Scholarship |
| Junior League of Austin | Austin, TX | $3,000 | 2026 | General |
| Eula & David Wintermann Library | Eagle Lake, TX | $3,000 | 2026 | Summer Reading Program |
| Ranger City Library | Ranger, TX | $2,975 | 2026 | Computer Equipment |
Schleicher County Public Library
$100,000Furniture & Shelving
Fannie Brown Booth Library
$100,000Furniture & Shelving
Meridian Library Association, Inc.
$83,447Furniture & Shelving
James Dick Foundation
$50,000Education Ctr Expansion
Texas Library Association
$50,000General
Kennedale Library
$50,000Furniture & Shelving
University of North Texas
$50,000Texas History for Teachers
Writer's League of Texas
$50,000Writing Workshops
Partners Library Action Network (PLAN)
$50,000General
Round Top Library
$50,000Furniture & Shelving
Jewish Community Assoc. of Austin
$50,000Capital Campaign
Austin Public Library Foundation
$25,500General
Follow Your Dreams, Inc.
$15,000AuSSLC Music Festival
Women's Storybook Project of Texas
$10,000Program
Aledo Public Library
$10,000Collection Development
University of Texas
$10,000General
Texas Library Association
$9,446Small Library, Big Impact
Partners Library Action Network (PLAN)
$9,300Strategic Planning Support
Wolfe City Public Library
$7,007Computers
Cedar Creek Library, Inc.
$6,6423D Printer Equipment
Texas Early Music Project
$6,500General
Rylander Memorial Library
$6,406Computer Equipment
Genevieve M. Hitchcock Public Library
$6,000Collection Development
Abilene Library Consortium
$6,000General
National Alliance on Mental Illness
$5,000General
Settlement Home
$5,000General
Carl & Mary Welhausen Library
$5,000Collection Development
Dickens Co. Spur Public Library
$5,000Collection Development
Austin Bat Cave / Kids Write Good
$5,000Writing Programs
B.J. Hill Library
$5,000Books
Carl & Mary Welhausen Library
$4,378Programming
Bullard Community Library
$4,170Architect Services
NCCIL
$4,000General
Lake Dallas Public Library
$3,983Computer Equipment
Clyde Public Library
$3,840Architect Services
Olney Community Library
$3,660Architect Services
Spicewood Community Library
$3,660Architect Services
Gatesville Public Library
$3,630Architect Services
Congregation Beth Israel
$3,538Remainder Files
Tuskegee Alumni Club of Central Texas
$3,000Scholarship
Eula & David Wintermann Library
$3,000Summer Reading Program
Ranger City Library
$2,975Computer Equipment